Pakistan Hosts SCO Summit Amid Rising Concerns
Pakistan is currently hosting a two-day gathering of the leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a security grouping created by Moscow and Beijing to counter the Western-led global order. The SCO comprises China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, and several other countries, representing 40% of the world’s population and 30% of its GDP.
Despite diverse political systems among its members and regional competition, major SCO players like China and Russia are sending their top officials for the summit, highlighting the importance of the event. The gathering provides Pakistan with an opportunity to elevate its diplomatic standing and showcase its role in multilateral forums.
Security concerns have been raised as the summit takes place amid political unrest and militant violence in Pakistan. The recent deadly attack on Chinese engineers underscores the country’s security challenges. Despite domestic issues, the summit aims to strengthen regional cooperation and address critical issues affecting member states.
India’s rare participation in the summit signals a potential indirect boost to bilateral ties, although the focus remains on multilateral affairs. As the SCO summit progresses, it will be interesting to see how the participating countries navigate regional tensions and foster cooperation.
Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru